I use etm_qt 2.2.3 constantly to organize and document my life. (an earlier version is in the 7.0 repository). One of etm's features is a timer, which allows me to conveniently record and organize time spent on various projects, phone calls, etc. The bottom of the etm display shows the timer's status (on, off, paused). It would be nice if I could see the timer portion of the etm display no matter which workspace I am in. (I use 6 workspaces). However, the little etm icon in the panel disappears unless focus is on etm. So I am constantly having to figure out which workspace etm is in, move it to the current workspace, and then use alt-tab all the time to check its status.

Is there a program anyone knows about that would allow me quick and convenient access to etm?

Is there a program that would allow me to always show the bottom of the etm screen (the timer) no matter which workspace I am in and no matter what program I am running at the time?

I am told that there is a mac program (geektool) that does this, but I have not tried it.

I have updated to etm 2.3.0. The directions state I should be able to keep it always on top with conky. I have installed conky. Here is from the etm group's google group site:

Quote

Added action_status in etm.cfg with keys 'running', 'paused' and 'stopped'. If specified, the relevant of these commands will be executed whenever the status of the action timer changes. This could be used, for example, with geektool or conky to show the current status of the timer on the user's desktop. E.g.,action_status:running: 'echo !summary!: !time!, running > ~/.etm/timer_status.text'paused: 'echo !summary!: !time!, paused > ~/.etm/timer_status.text'stopped: 'echo > ~/.etm/timer_status.text'

and then use geektool or conky to display the contents of ~/.etm/timer_status.text on the desktop. Note that !summary! expands to the action's summary and !time! to the current elapsed time.

I am not skilled with conky but if you installed it you will need a .conkyrc file in your home directory. then if you open a terminal and type conky the display will be on your desktop. I will add the rc I found for a clock for you to try and perhaps modify. but someone else may be better help later.

you would just copy /paste into a text file and name it .conkyrc....most I can offer

I've now got conky working beautifully with etm_qt, so if anyone wants details, let me know. It shows a little blue rectangular box along the bottom of the screen, regardless of which workspace I am in, telling me what the etm timer is doing, whether paused, stopped or running, and which project is being charged with the time.